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A quality improvement intervention links high-risk prenatal patients at safety-net health centers with primary care

A quality improvement intervention linked high-risk prenatal patients with primary care, resulting in a significant increase in postpartum and primary care utilization. Despite challenges, FQHC participation improved patient outcomes, highlighting the need for greater resources to ensure sustainability.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJan 22, 2024

Supports help keep Aussie firefighters safe

Research from University of South Australia shows professional firefighters have lower movement quality as they age, which could put them at greater risk of injury. Functional strength training can help maintain a fit and healthy workforce.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalThe Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 16, 2024

Early study shows health benefits of creative arts therapies and nutrition education for postmenopausal women

A recent study from Drexel University explored an art therapy intervention to address the health needs of overweight, postmenopausal women. The integrated approach showed significant improvements in psychosocial wellbeing, quality of life, and body image, with participants also experiencing decreases in BMI and blood pressure.

SourceDrexel University·JournalArt Therapy·DateJan 11, 2024

Better mental, physical health in older people tied to living near nature

A Washington State University study found that living near nature can reduce serious psychological distress and improve general health in older adults. Researchers analyzed data from over 42,000 people aged 65 and older, finding a strong association between access to green spaces and better mental and physical health outcomes.

SourceWashington State University·JournalHealth & Place·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 4, 2024

"U.S. physical inactivity pandemic is a crisis within a crisis," experts say

A new study in The American Journal of Medicine highlights the correlation between social vulnerability and physical inactivity in the US, revealing geographic variance and disparities. Researchers stress the need for tailored health promotion campaigns and individual counseling approaches to address these disparities.

SourceElsevier·JournalThe American Journal of Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 18, 2023

Poor diet quality during adolescence is linked to serious health risks

Research from the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that poor diet quality among adolescents is associated with cardiometabolic risk factors, including obesity and related diseases. The study suggests that promoting nutrition knowledge is necessary to prevent these health risks.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 13, 2023

Don't say "vegan"

A national food choice experiment found that labeling a meat-free and dairy-free food basket as 'vegan' or 'plant-based' leads to lower appeal, whereas labels like 'healthy' or 'sustainable' result in higher preference. This study suggests using these alternative labels can encourage healthier and more environmentally sustainable eatin...

SourceSociety for Risk Analysis·JournalRisk Analysis·DateDec 11, 2023

Light therapy may improve symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease

A meta-analysis of 15 randomized controlled trials found significant improvements in sleep efficiency and psycho-behavioral symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Light therapy also alleviated depression and reduced patient agitation and caregiver burden.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 6, 2023

UTHealth Houston opens enrollment for lifestyle cooking program aimed at people with metabolic disease risk

The UTHealth Houston School of Public Health offers a 12-month lifestyle program combining evidence-based nutrition education with culinary learning to support behavior change. Participants will attend in-person and virtual classes, including hands-on cooking lessons, physical activity guidance, and mindfulness education.

More than $13M awarded to study childhood obesity interventions in rural and minority communities in Louisiana and Tennessee

Researchers aim to determine optimal duration and intensity of behavioral interventions for childhood obesity among rural and minority children. The five-year study, funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, will enroll 900 parent-child pairs and compare different 'dosing' combinations of face-to-face intervention time.

Access remains the most serious barrier to cardiac rehabilitation

Despite its cost-effective prevention for recurrent events, cardiac rehabilitation remains inaccessible to many due to lack of social support, particularly in poorer countries. Home-based rehabilitation and comprehensive lifelong healthy behavioral programs may help address these barriers.

SourceElsevier·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·TypeSystematic review·DateNov 28, 2023

International group of research experts establish checklist detailing key consensus reporting items for primary care studies

A new checklist, Consensus Reporting Items for Studies in Primary Care (CRISP), outlines key reporting items for primary care studies. The CRISP Checklist describes aspects of research, including teams, patients, and study implementation, to improve primary care research reporting worldwide.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateNov 27, 2023

Knowledge translation materials can promote discussions between Asian men with diabetes and their physicians about erectile dysfunction

Researchers found that using doctor- and patient-oriented materials improved conversations about erectile dysfunction (ED) among Asian men with diabetes. The study suggests that these materials can encourage treatment of ED, particularly in cultures where sex is viewed as taboo.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateNov 27, 2023

Alarming rates of suicidal ideation among older transgender adults revealed on Transgender Day of Remembrance

A recent study reveals that over one-quarter of older transgender adults have seriously contemplated ending their lives, highlighting the urgent need for targeted support and interventions. The study found that experiencing challenges in areas such as workplace issues and personal safety significantly increased the odds of contemplatin...

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalAging & Mental Health·TypeObservational study·DateNov 20, 2023

Women with breast cancer take sexual health into their own hands

A study published in PLOS ONE found that 35% of women with breast cancer used self-discovered or peer-recommended techniques to enhance their sexual function. These techniques fell into four main domains: pain reduction, intimacy and relationship enhancement, desire and arousal enhancement, and emotional coping.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateNov 15, 2023

Ground-breaking discovery could pave the way for new therapies to prevent cardiovascular disease and stroke

Scientists at the University of Leicester have made a groundbreaking discovery about how cholesterol in our diet is absorbed into our cells. The research, published in Science, highlights the role of two proteins called Aster B and Aster C in transporting cholesterol from the intestine to the bloodstream.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 13, 2023

Acupuncture may offer limited relief to patients with chronic hives

Researchers found that acupuncture improved symptoms in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), but the benefits were not significant enough to meet the minimal clinical difference threshold. The study included over 300 participants and suggested that clinicians should consider using acupuncture as an adjunctive treatment.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateNov 13, 2023

Researchers adapt health system COVID-19 collaboration to track near-real-time trends in visits for substance use

Researchers adapted a COVID-19 collaboration to monitor near-real-time trends in substance use-related hospital and emergency department visits. Detailed data shows large increases in methamphetamine- and opioid-involved hospital and ED visits among Native American, Black, and multiple-race populations.

SourceHennepin Healthcare Research Institute·JournalHealth Affairs·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 10, 2023

UTHealth Houston partners with Mexican organizations for $5 million NIH grant to improve implementation of cancer control interventions in Mexico and Latin America

The UTHealth Houston Institute for Implementation Science has received a five-year, $5 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to support research and training in implementation science. Researchers will focus on improving cancer control efforts in Mexico and Latin America.

Colostrum key to saving beef calves from trouble

A recent study found that insufficient antibody transfer to newborn beef calves leads to negative health effects, including increased medical treatment needs and mortality rates. Researchers recommend beef calf-specific colostrum intervention strategies and better vaccine management for pregnant cows and heifers.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalPreventive Veterinary Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateNov 7, 2023

Global platform study presents results to guide care of severely ill patients with COVID-19 using routinely available drugs

A global platform study has released results on the use of simvastatin to treat severely ill patients with COVID-19, showing a high probability of improving outcomes. In contrast, high-dose vitamin C was found to be ineffective and potentially harmful in critically ill patients, suggesting its use should be discontinued.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJAMA·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 25, 2023

Communities of color experienced fear and mistrust of institutions during COVID-19 pandemic

A study by UC Riverside researchers found that communities of color in Inland Southern California experienced fear and mistrust of institutions due to historical, cultural, and social traumas. The study highlights the need for culturally sensitive health interventions to address these traumas and promote community-based approaches for ...

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalCulture Medicine and Psychiatry·TypeSurvey·DateOct 19, 2023

More Aggressive treatment doesn’t impact quality of life for metastatic colorectal cancer patients, according to new study in JNCCN

A new study published in JNCCN found that intensive local-regional treatment to remove as much tumor as possible did not significantly impact overall quality of life for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. However, the treatment was associated with a higher risk of adverse events.

SourceNational Comprehensive Cancer Network·JournalJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 12, 2023

Improving follow-up of abnormal cancer screening results

A multilevel primary care intervention, including electronic health record reminders and patient outreach, improved timely follow-up of overdue abnormal cancer screening test results for breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung cancer. The intervention was found to be effective in reducing missed screenings.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateOct 10, 2023